yet another hyperbolic crochet plane

This is my first circular crocheted hyperbolic plane, made from a skein of inexpensive purple acrylic yarn (256 yards, Red Heart Soft brand). The crocheting was very repetitive, but it was neat to see the ruffles start to emerge as the shape got larger and larger. I increased one stitch for every 4 stitches. As you would expect, it does not seem to be as tightly ruffled as cignoh's plane which increased one stitch every 3 stitches. This piece is about 12 inches across and can be arranged in a variety of different ways to resemble coral or lettuce. It also makes an interesting hat.

finally! a crochet hyperbolic plane

Originally uploaded by cignoh

last fall, i discovered crochet hyperbolic planes and other work at The Institute for Figuring and decided that i really wanted to make them. i had taught myself how to crochet briefly but it had been a couple of years since i had made anything. in february, during thing a day, i attempted to crochet a hyperbolic plane, only to discover that i couldn't really remember how to crochet anymore. i got about halfway through my first row of single crochet (it's hard to make single crochet stitches into the chain!) but was making mistakes---i think i was getting confused with the stitches and crocheting multiple stitches into the same stitch or skipping stitches, etc. when i realized that i wouldn't be making a hyperbolic plane for my thing.a.day, i gave up and did something else that day, and then didn't touch it again since then.

a couple of days ago, on a plane ride, i decided to tackle it again and am proud to report that i was finally successful and have completed my first hyperbolic plane. in this one, i started out with about a 5 in chain and then after the first row, i increased once every three stitches. i used a rowan cork yarn (95% merino wool, 5% nylon) and was thinking of trying to felt it but i'm not sure---i don't have that much experience with felting. i actually made another plane before i made this one that was made of a bright blue cotton yarn where i increased one in every six stitches, but i think my needle was too big, and the overall result too floppy. plus, i started with too long of a chain and ran out of yarn, so it just turned out to be long, relatively flat and floppy. i might try that one again since i like the color of the yarn.

like robinde, i hope to end up with an aquarium/shelf full of hyperbolic planes and other sea creations. i'd like to expand and try making tubes and other forms like she has.